Printable Poetry Reading Worksheet | Grade 3 ELA

This printable poetry worksheet helps students analyze figurative language and emotional expression in literature. By reading "Since Hanna Moved Away," learners explore how authors use descriptive imagery to convey feelings of sadness and friendship changes. This resource builds essential reading comprehension skills while fostering social-emotional awareness in the classroom.

At a Glance

• Grade: 3 · Subject: ELA
• Standard: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.4 — Determine meaning of nonliteral language
• Skill Focus: Poetry Analysis
• Format: 1 page · 1 reading task · No answer key needed · PDF
• Best For: Independent reading practice
• Time: 10–15 minutes

What's Inside

This resource features a single-page, beautifully formatted presentation of Judith Viorst's poem "Since Hanna Moved Away." The text includes engaging visual elements and clear stanzas to support developing readers. Students engage with one primary reading task, focusing on the text itself without the distraction of complex question sets. The layout is clean, self-explanatory, and requires no additional teacher setup or answer key.

Zero-Prep Workflow

• Print (1 minute): Simply download the PDF and print a class set. The black-and-white friendly design saves ink.
• Distribute (1 minute): Hand out the poem during your literacy block or morning meeting.
• Review (3 minutes): Read the poem aloud together, then have students read it independently.

Total teacher prep time is under 2 minutes. This makes it an ideal, stress-free addition to any substitute teacher plan or emergency folder.

Standards Alignment

Aligned to CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.4: Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, distinguishing literal from nonliteral language. The poem provides rich examples of figurative language, such as "grouchy gray" skies and ice cream tasting like prunes, allowing students to connect nonliteral phrases to the speaker's emotional state. Both standard codes can be copied directly into lesson plans, IEP goals, or district curriculum mapping tools.

How to Use It

Use this poem as an engaging hook before direct instruction on figurative language. Teachers can project the text on a smartboard for a whole-class shared reading experience, highlighting metaphors and similes. Alternatively, assign it during independent reading time for quiet reflection. As a formative assessment observation tip, listen to students' fluency and expression during partner read-alouds to gauge their comprehension of the poem's mood. Expected completion time ranges from 10 to 15 minutes.

Who It's For

This resource is designed for third and fourth-grade students developing their literary analysis skills. The relatable theme of friendship changes makes it highly accessible for diverse learners, including those needing social-emotional learning support. For differentiation, teachers can pair this text with a graphic organizer for identifying metaphors, or use it alongside a direct instruction lesson on expressing emotions through creative writing.

Integrating poetry into daily literacy routines significantly enhances students' ability to process complex emotions and figurative language. Aligned with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.4, this resource requires students to determine meaning of nonliteral language within a structured literary context. According to Fisher & Frey (2014), providing students with short, emotionally resonant texts builds both reading stamina and critical inference skills. When learners analyze how a poet uses exaggerated imagery—like flowers smelling like halibut—to express the sadness of a friend moving away, they develop deeper cognitive flexibility. This practice bridges the gap between basic decoding and advanced literary comprehension. By engaging with high-quality verse, students not only improve their academic vocabulary but also build essential empathy and social awareness, making this an invaluable tool for holistic classroom instruction.